Dynamic seal

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a dynamic seal for enclosing a radial gap between coaxial, relatively rotatable inner and outer members. The dynamic seal includes an inner seal part, mountable to the inner member; an outer seal part, mountable to the outer member; and a counterface part radially suspended between the inner and outer seal parts and coaxial therewith. Each of the inner and outer seal parts provides a set of first and second sealing elements, which bear against oppositely oriented axial surfaces of the counterface part. The counterface part is thus axially retained in both directions by the inner seal part at a radially inner contact location, and is axially retained in both directions by the outer seal part at a radially outer contact location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is Applications is:

a Divisional Application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No.15/119,076, filed on 15 Aug. 2016,

wherein U.S. application Ser. No. 15/119,076 is a National StageApplication claiming the benefit of International Application NumberPCT/EP2014/052891 filed on 14 Feb. 2014.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a seal for enclosing a radial gap betweenrelatively rotatable coaxial components. More particularly, theinvention is directed to such a seal which is able to compensate forpositional variations while maintaining sealing contact.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A common application for a radial seal is to seal the radial gap betweena shaft and e.g. a bearing housing. The seal typically comprises anannular casing that is mounted in a bore of the bearing housing, andfurther comprises an elastomeric seal lip that is bonded to the metalcasing. The seal lip bears against the shaft and makes sliding contactwith a shaft counterface during rotation. Especially at high speeds, theshaft may rotate with a slight eccentricity, known as dynamic run-out,which in effect changes the radial gap between the counterface and thehousing. To ensure that the seal lip remains in contact with thecounterface, the seal is generally mounted with a very small clearanceand the lip is spring-loaded. The radial load on the seal lip generatesadditional friction and the seal typically experiences uneven weararound the lip circumference.

One solution for removing the radial load on a seal is to execute theseal with radially overlapping parts and axially oriented seal contactsurfaces. An example of a seal of this kind is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 4,348,031. The document describes a rotary fluid seal having asealing ring arranged between axially opposed counterfaces of relativelyrotatable members. The sealing ring has a pair of divergent seal lipswhich bear against the counterfaces, but are able to float freelybetween the relatively rotatable members. Upon relative rotation of themembers, the sealing ring is frictionally driven into rotation by one orother of the members.

There is still room for improvement.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention resides in a dynamic seal for enclosing a radialgap between coaxial, relatively rotatable inner and outer members. Thedynamic seal comprises an inner seal part, mountable to the innermember; an outer seal part, mountable to the outer member; and acounterface part radially suspended between the inner and outer sealparts and coaxial therewith. Each of the inner and outer seal partscomprises a set of first and second sealing elements which bear againstoppositely oriented axial surfaces of the counterface part. Thecounterface part is thus axially retained in both directions by theinner seal part at a radially inner contact location, and is axiallyretained in both directions by the outer seal part at a radially outercontact location.

The counterface part is not connected to either of the inner seal partor the outer seal part, and is thus a floating part, free of radialload. Relative radial movements between the inner and outer seal partscan therefore be accommodated in a manner that does not increasefriction and wear.

Further, the axial retention of the counterface part by each of theinner and outer seal parts means that the seal has two potential dynamiccontact locations. Let us assume that the outer member and the outerseal part are rotational during dynamic sealing conditions. If thefriction at the radially outer contact location is greater than thefriction at the radially inner contact location, the counterface partwill rotate with the outer seal part and the sealing elements of theinner seal part will be in sliding contact with the counterface part. Ifthe friction at the radially inner contact location becomes greater thanat the radially outer contact location, then the counterface part will“stick” to the inner seal part and the rotational sealing elements ofthe outer seal part will be in sliding contact with the counterfacepart.

A dynamic seal according to the invention is thus able to adopt a seconddynamic contact location before the friction at a first dynamic contactlocation becomes excessively high. Wear is thus prevented, whichprolongs the life of the seal.

In a first embodiment, at least one of the first and second sealingelements of the inner and outer seal parts are axially enclosed betweenoppositely oriented axial surfaces of the counterface part. In oneexample, the counterface part comprises a ring with an outer U-shapedsection at the radially outer circumference and an inner U-shapedsection at the radially inner circumference. The outer seal part thencomprises a flange that extends into the outer U-shaped section of thecounterface part. The first and second sealing elements may be executedas lips that bear against the inner axial surfaces of the outer U-shapedsection. Likewise, the inner seal part comprises a flange that extendsinto the inner U-section of the counterface part and which has first andsecond seal lips that bear against the inner axial surfaces of the innerU-section.

In a second embodiment, the counterface part is axially enclosed by thefirst and second sealing elements of at least one of the inner and outerseal parts. In a preferred example, the counterface part is formed by aflat ring. A radially outer edge of the flat ring extends into a cavityof the outer seal part, which is enclosed by the first and secondsealing elements of the outer seal part. Likewise, a radially inner edgeof the flat ring extends into a cavity of the inner seal part, which isenclosed by the first and second sealing elements of the inner sealpart. Advantageously, each cavity is filled with a lubricant such asgrease, to lubricate whichever set of sealing elements are in slidingcontact with the axial surfaces of the flat ring.

The counterface part may be made of a metal, ceramic or polymermaterial. The axial surfaces of the counterface part which are incontact with the sealing elements may advantageously be provided with alow-friction coating, to minimise seal wear. In some examples, thecounterface part comprises a breathable material that prevents moisturefrom entering the sealed environment, but permits moisture to escape.

The sealing elements of the inner and outer seal parts are preferablymade from an elastomeric material such as Acryl-Nitrile-ButadieneRubber, Ethylene Propylene Rubber, Fluorocarbon Rubber or SiliconeRubber. Suitably, each sealing element comprises a lip section having anaxially oriented surface that is at least partly in contact with thecounterface part. The sealing element may further comprise an armsection that is bonded to e.g. a casing element. In some examples, thelip section is made of a first elastomeric material and the arm sectionis made of a second elastomeric material, which has a lower elasticmodulus that the first elastomeric material. The arm section may thusprovide the sealing element with flexibility, while the lip section hasbetter wear resistance.

In a further development of the second embodiment, the dynamic seal isadapted to permit an axial displacement of the counterface part relativeto the inner and outer members, in a manner which maintains effectivesealing between the counterface part and each set of first and secondsealing elements.

Suitably, each of the first and second sealing elements of the innerseal part comprises an inner lip section that is contact with an axialsurface of the counterface part and further comprises an arm sectionwith a flexure that resiliently urges the lip section against thecorresponding axial surface. Likewise, each of the first and secondsealing elements of the outer seal part comprises an outer lip sectionthat is contact with an axial surface of the counterface part andfurther comprises an arm section with a flexure that resiliently urgesthe lip section against the corresponding axial surface. The flexure ineach arm section is further adapted to serve as a hinge point aboutwhich each arm section rotates in response to an axial displacement ofthe counterface part relative to the inner and outer members. As aresult, the lip section of each sealing element of the inner and outerseal parts remains parallel to the counterface part, to maintain aneffective sealing contact.

The axial deflection may occur as the result of a pressure build upwithin e.g. a sealed bearing. A seal according to the furtherdevelopment of the invention may thus be used to compensate for pressuredifferentials.

The seal may be adapted to accommodate an axial deflection of 0.1-0.8mm, depending on the expected pressure differential. Suitably, when anaxial deflection towards one axial side of the seal is to beaccommodated, the sealing elements of the inner and outer seal at thataxial side have an appropriate stiffness that permits the deflection.

Preferably, a seal according to the invention has radial and axialsymmetry.

Advantageously, the lip section of each sealing element may comprise aplurality of micro-lips formed by protrusions that extend from an axialsurface of the lip section. The micro-lips have a small contact area incomparison with the axial surface as whole, to minimize contactfriction.

In one example of a dynamic seal according to the further development ofthe invention, the lip section of at least one sealing element comprisesat least one first micro-lip that is in contact with the counterfacepart when this part is in a central (axially undeflected) position. Thelip section further comprises at least one second micro-lip that isarranged with an axial gap to the counterface part. The axial gap isless than or equal to a maximum axial deflection that the seal isdesigned to accommodate. Thus, when the aforementioned axial deflectiontakes place, the at least one second micro-lip comes into contact withthe counterface part, to enhance the sealing effect.

A seal according to the invention has further advantages, which willbecome apparent from the following detailed description and accompanyingfigures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

In the following, the invention is described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a radial cross-section through a first example of a sealaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a radial cross-section through a second example of a sealaccording to the invention;

FIG. 3 shows a radial cross-section through a third example of a sealaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a radial cross-section through a fourth example of a sealaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Radial seals are employed to enclose a radial gap between coaxial,relatively rotatable components, such as a bearing housing and a shaft.The seal serves to retain lubricant within the bearing and to excludeexternal contaminants, such as moisture and dirt. The seal typically hasone or more seal lips which, in use of the seal, are in sliding contactwith a counterface. To ensure effective sealing, the lip(s) need toremain in contact with the counterface at all times. Preferably, contactis ensured in a manner that minimises friction and wear.

An example of a radial seal 100 according to the invention is depictedin FIG. 1.

The seal 100 comprises an inner seal part 110 and an outer seal part 120which are respectively mounted to a shaft 10 and a housing 20 in thedepicted example. The inner seal part 110 comprises first 111 and second112 axially spaced, sealing elements which extend in a radially outwarddirection from an inner casing 113 that is mounted on the shaft 10.Likewise, the outer seal part 120 comprises first 121 and second 122axially spaced sealing elements which extend in a radially inwarddirection from an outer casing 123 mounted to the housing 20. In thisexample, the sealing elements are made of an elastomeric material suchas NBR.

The seal 100 further comprises an annular counterface part 130 that isarranged in a radial gap between the inner and outer seal parts 110, 120and that is axially arranged between the first and second sealingelements 111, 112 of the inner seal part and between the first andsecond sealing elements 121, 122 of the outer seal part 120. Thecounterface part 130 may be an essentially flat ring made of a metallicor polymeric or ceramic material and has oppositely oriented first andsecond axial surfaces 131, 132 which serve as counterfaces of the seal100.

In this example, the first and second sealing elements 111, 112 of theinner seal part 110 have an inner arm section 114 that extends in axialdirection towards the counterface part 130. Likewise, the first andsecond sealing elements 121, 122 of the outer seal part 120 have anouter arm section 124 that extends in axial direction towards thecounterface part 130. The inner and outer arm sections 114, 124 providethe respective sealing elements with stiffness. Further, the inner firstand second sealing elements 111, 112 have an inner lip section 115 thatextends in a radial direction and bears against the first and secondaxial surfaces 131, 132 of the counterface part 130 respectively.Likewise, the outer first and second sealing elements 121, 122 have anouter lip section 125 that extends in a radial direction and bearsagainst the first and second axial surfaces 131, 132 of the counterfacepart 130 respectively.

Thus, a radially inner portion of the counterface part 130 is axiallyretained between the inner lip sections 115 and a radially outer portionof the counterface part is axially retained between the outer lipsections 125.

The counterface part 130 is axially retained by the inner and outer sealparts 110, 120, but is not fixed to either. Therefore, friction dictateswhether the inner lip sections 115 or the outer lip sections 125 are insliding contact with the first and second axial surfaces 131, 132 of thecounterface part. Let us assume that the shaft 10 is the rotationalcomponent. If a first amount of friction between the outer lip sections125 and the counterfaces 131, 132 is greater than a second amount offriction between the rotating inner lip sections 115 and thecounterfaces, then the rotating inner lip sections 115 will be insliding contact. However, if the first amount of friction increases dueto e.g. breakdown of a lubricating film, and becomes higher than thesecond amount, then the counterface part 130 will rotate with the innerseal part 110, and the outer lip sections 125 will be in sliding contactwith the counterfaces 131, 132.

Thus, the seal 100 automatically “selects” the sliding contact interfacewith the lowest friction, thereby minimising wear and extending seallife.

Preferably, the axial surface of the inner and outer lip sections 115,125 that bears against the counterface part 130 has a number ofmicro-lips 116 formed by protrusions separated by recesses 117.Peripheral edges of the micro-lips 116 have a surface area that issignificantly less than that of the aforementioned axial surface of thelip sections, meaning that low friction is generated during dynamicsealing conditions. In addition, the recesses 117 between the micro-lips116 can serve as a reservoir for lubricant, to further reduce frictionin the sliding contacts.

As may be seen from FIG. 1, the inner part 110 of the seal has a cavity119 enclosed by the first and second sealing elements 111, 112 and aradially outer surface of the seal casing 113. Similarly, the outer part120 of the seal has a cavity 129 enclosed by the outer first and secondsealing elements 121, 122 and a radially inner surface of the outercasing 123. Advantageously, the cavities 119, 129 are provided with agrease for lubricating the sliding contacts between the lip sections115, 125 of the seal and the first and second axial surfaces 131, 132 ofthe counterface part.

As may further be seen, the counterface part 130 extends into the cavity119 of the inner seal part 110, an annular counterface element radialinner end 133 positioned with a radial gap to the radially outer surface143 of the inner casing 113, and an annular counterface element radialouter end 134 extends into the cavity 129 of the outer seal part 120,with a radial gap to the radially inner surface 144 of the outer casing123. Thus, the counterface part 130 is suspended between the inner 115and outer lip sections 125 of the inner and outer seal partsrespectively. As a result, there is no radial load on the seal, which istherefore able to accommodate variations in the radial gap between theshaft 10 and housing 20, due to e.g. dynamic run-out, without causinguneven wear of the inner or outer seal lips.

In many radial seal applications, the seal must be able to withstand apressure differential. Especially at high speeds, high pressure canbuild up within a bearing, which has an effect on the seal contact(s).In a further development of the invention, the seal is adapted to allowfor an axial displacement of the counterface part, while maintainingeffective sealing contact.

An example of a seal 200 according to the invention with this capabilityis depicted in FIG. 2. The seal 200 and the seal 100 have a number oflike elements. Like elements of the seal 200 and the seal 100 arenumbered the same, except the elements of the seal 200 are preceded bythe numeral “2”.

Again, the seal comprises a counterface part 130 which is axiallyretained and radially suspended between first and second sealingelements 211, 212 of an inner seal part 210 and first and second sealingelements 221, 222 of an outer seal part 220. In this example, both ofthe inner and outer seal parts 210, 220 are formed from two separatepieces which are connected together. This facilitates assembly of theseal 200, given that the counterface part 130 radially overlaps both theinner and outer seal parts. The inner seal part has first and secondcasing elements 213 a, 213 b and the outer seal part 220 has first andsecond casing elements 223 a, 223 b, which are joined together in axialdirection after the counterface part has been arranged between thesealing elements 211, 212, 221, 222.

Each sealing element is at least partly made from a resilient materialsuch as rubber. The first and second sealing elements 211, 212 of theinner seal part 210 have an arm section 214 and a lip section 215. Eachinner arm section 214 extends from the respective inner casing part 213a, 213 b in a radially outward direction and comprises a bend or flexure218. The lip section 215 extends from the flexure 218 in radially inwarddirection and in an axial direction towards the counterface part 230. Inother words, the lip section 215 of the inner first and second sealingelements 211, 212 is angled relative to the first and second axialsurfaces of the counterface part 130. Suitably, the lip sections 215 areangled so as to exert an axial force on the counterface part, due to theresiliency of each sealing element. Further, the lip section 215comprises three micro-lips 216 a, 216 b, 216 c in this example, withrecesses 217 in between, whereby peripheral edges of the micro-lips arein contact with first and second axial surfaces 231, 232 of thecounterface part 230.

The first and second sealing elements 221, 222 of the outer seal part220 have a corresponding arm section 224, flexure 228 and lip section225.

Let us assume that due to high pressure within the seal 200, an axialforce F acts on the counterface part 230 in the direction indicated bythe arrow. The seal is adapted to permit a small amount of axialdisplacement of the counterface part 230 relative to the inner and outermembers. Depending on the application, the permitted axial displacementcan be between 0.1 and 0.8 mm.

The counterface part 130 presses against the lip section 215, 225 of thefirst sealing elements 211, 221 of the inner and outer seal partsrespectively. The flexure 218 in each first sealing element acts as ahinge point about which the respective lip section 215, 225 rotates, toenable the axial displacement of the counterface part 230. Further, theflexure 218 in the second sealing element 212, 222 of the inner andouter seal parts respectively acts as a hinge point about which therespective inner and outer lip sections 215, 225 rotate, due to theresiliency of the sealing elements 212, 222. As a result, the micro-lips216 a, 216 b, 216 c of the lip section 215, 225 of each second sealingelement 212, 222 remain in contact with the second axial surface 232. Inother words, the inner and outer lip sections 215, 225 remain parallelwith the axial surfaces 131, 132 of the counterface part 130.

In addition, the stiffness of each lip section 215, 216 is adapted topermit axial displacement. The stiffness depends on the thickness of thelip section. Taking the lip section 215 of the first sealing element 211of the inner seal part 210 as an example, the radially outermostmicro-lip 216 a has a greater axial width than the intermediatemicro-lip 216 b, which in turn has a greater axial width than theinnermost micro-lip 216 c. Thus, the main body of the lip section 215has an essentially constant thickness, and a corresponding stiffnesswhich permits axial displacement.

An advantage of a such a seal according to the invention is thatpressure compensation is possible. A further example of a radial seal300 that permits pressure compensation within e.g. a sealed bearing isdepicted in FIG. 3. The seal 300 and the seal 100 have a number of likeelements. Like elements of the seal 300 and the seal 100 are numberedthe same, except the elements of the seal 300 are preceded by thenumeral “3”.

Again, the seal comprises a counterface part 130 which is axiallyretained and radially suspended between first and second sealingelements 311, 312 of an inner seal part 310 and first and second sealingelements 321, 322 of an outer seal part 320. Each sealing element is atleast partly made from a resilient material such as rubber. The firstand second sealing elements 311, 312 of the inner seal part 310 have aflexible arm section 314 and a lip section 315 that bears against firstand second axial counterfaces 131, 132 of the counterface part. Theflexible arm section 314 has a V-shaped flexure 318, which acts as aspring to urge the lip section 315 against the respective counterface.The first and second sealing elements 321, 322 of the inner seal part320 also have a flexible arm section 324 and a lip section 325 thatbears against the first and second axial counterfaces 131, 132. Again,the flexible arm sections 324 have a V-shaped flexure 318, which acts asa spring to urge the outer lip sections 325 against the respectivecounterface. As explained above, the flexure 318 in each sealing element311, 312, 321, 322 also acts as a hinge point, to enable the lipsections 315, 325 to remain parallel to the counterface part when anaxial displacement of the counterface part 130 occurs.

Further, each lip section 315, 325 comprises a number of firstmicro-lips 316 a (four in the depicted example) which are in contactwith the respective counterfaces 331, 332, when the counterface part 230is in an undeflected position. Each lip section 315, 325 also has anumber of second micro-lips 316 b (two in the depicted example) with anaxial gap to the counterface part 330. The width of the gap is less thanor equal to the maximum axial displacement for which the seal isdesigned. The lip sections are designed such that when a pressure actingon the counterface part 130 causes it to move in the direction of e.g.the first sealing elements 311, 321 of the inner and outer seal parts,the corresponding lip sections 315, 325 bend, so that the secondmicro-lips 316 b also come into contact with the counterface part 130.The sealing effect is thus enhanced at that axial side of the seal,given that six micro-lips are now in contact with the counterface part.

In the embodiments of a seal 100, 200, 300 according to the inventiondepicted thus far, the counterface part 130 has axially outer surfaces131, 132 that are retained between the first and second sealing elementsof the inner and outer seal parts. An alternative embodiment is depictedin FIG. 4, in which the counterface part is retained at axially innersurfaces thereof, which enclose the first and second sealing elements.

Again, the seal 400 has an inner seal part 410 mounted to a shaft 10 andan outer seal part 420 mounted to a housing 20. The counterface part 430is radially suspended between the inner and outer seal parts and in thisexample has a first U-shaped annular cavity 433 a at its innercircumference and has a second U-shaped annular cavity 433 b at itsouter circumference. The inner seal part 410 has a radially extendingflange 414 that extends radially from an inner seal part base portion418 into the first cavity 433 a, with a radial gap to thecircumferential surface of the first cavity.

Likewise, the outer seal part 420 has a radially extending flange 424that extends radially from an outer seal part base portion 428 into thesecond cavity 433 b, with a radial gap to the circumferential surface ofthe second cavity. Further, the flange 414 of the inner seal part hasfirst and second seal lips 411, 412 that respectively bear against firstand second inner axial surfaces 431 a, 432 a of the first cavity 433 a.Likewise, the flange 424 of the outer seal part has first and secondseal lips 421, 422 that respectively bear against first and second inneraxial surfaces 431 b, 432 b of the second cavity 433 b. As before, thecounterface part 430 is free of radial load and the seal 400 canaccommodate dynamic run-out without increased friction and wear.

The first U-shaped annular cavity 433 a is defined by an inner U-shapedend of the counterface part 430. The U-shaped annular cavity located atthe inner end of the counterface part 430 is defined by a U-shapedsurface comprising a annular counterface element radial inner end 433,an axially facing first cavity first axial inner surface 431 a extendingradially from a first end the annular counterface element radial innerend 433, an axially facing first cavity second axial inner surface 432 aextending radially from an opposite end the annular counterface elementradial inner end 433, and a radially facing first oppositely facingaxial surface 433 c extending axially outward from the distal end ofeach respective first cavity axial inner surface 431 a, 432 a. A innerseal part base portion oppositely facing surface 418 a of the inner sealpart base portion 418 and the first oppositely facing axial surface 433c are radially facing one another, having a gap therebetween. An innerseal part flange outer facing surface 414 a of the inner seal partradially extending flange 414 and the annular counterface element radialinner end 433 are radially facing one another, having a gaptherebetween.

Similarly the second U-shaped annular cavity 433 b is defined by anouter U-shaped end of the counterface part 430. The U-shaped annularcavity located at the outer end of the counterface part 430 is definedby a U-shaped surface comprising a annular counterface element radialouter end 434, an axially facing second cavity first axial inner surface431 b extending radially from a first end the annular counterfaceelement radial outer end 434, an axially facing second cavity secondaxial inner surface 432 b extending radially from an opposite end theannular counterface element radial outer end 434, and a radially facingsecond cavity second oppositely facing axial surface 434 c extendingaxially outward from the distal end of each respective first cavityaxial inner surface 431 b, 432 b. An outer seal part base portionoppositely facing surface 428 a of the outer seal part base portion 428and the second cavity second oppositely facing axial surface 434 c areradially facing one another, having a gap therebetween. An outer sealpart flange inner facing surface 424 a of the radially extending flange424 and the annular counterface element radial outer end 434 areradially facing one another, having a gap therebetween.

In this embodiment, the counterface part 420 is suitably formed from twoseparate sections which are joined together axially after the inner andouter seal parts 410, 420 have been arranged against one of the separatesections.

A number of aspects/embodiments of the invention have been described. Itis to be understood that each aspect/embodiment may be combined with anyother aspect/embodiment. The invention may thus be varied within thescope of the accompanying patent claims.

REFERENCE CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS Ref No. Description

-   10 Inner member-   20 Outer member/housing-   100 Dynamic seal-   110 Inner seal part-   111 First sealing element-   112 Second sealing element-   113 Inner casing-   114 Inner arm section-   115 Lip sections-   116 Micro-lips-   117 Recesses-   119 Cavities-   120 Outer seal part-   121 First sealing element-   122 Second sealing element-   123 Outer casing-   124 Outer arm section-   125 Lip sections-   129 Cavities-   130 Annular counterface element-   131 First axial surface-   132 Second axial surface-   133 Annular counterface element radial inner end-   134 Annular counterface element radial outer end-   143 Inner arm section radially inner facing surface-   144 Outer arm section radially inner facing surface-   200 Dynamic seal-   210 Inner seal part-   211 First sealing element-   212 Second sealing element-   213 a First inner casing element-   213 b Second inner casing element-   214 Inner arm section-   215 Lip sections-   216 a Micro-lips-   216 b Micro-lips-   216 c Micro-lips-   217 Recesses-   218 Flexure-   219 Cavities-   220 Outer seal part-   221 First sealing element-   222 Second sealing element-   223 a First outer casing element-   223 b Second outer casing element-   224 Outer arm section-   225 Lip sections-   228 Flexure-   229 Cavities-   243 Inner arm section radially inner facing surface-   244 Outer arm section radially inner facing surface-   300 Dynamic seal-   310 Inner seal part-   311 First sealing element-   312 Second sealing element-   314 Inner arm section-   315 Lip sections-   316 a Micro-lips-   316 b Micro-lips-   318 Flexure-   318 Inner arm section radially inner facing surface-   319 Cavities-   320 Outer seal part-   321 First sealing element-   322 Second sealing element-   324 Outer arm section-   325 Lip sections-   328 Flexure-   328 Outer arm section radially inner facing surface-   329 Cavities-   343 Inner arm section radially inner facing surface-   344 Outer arm section radially inner facing surface-   400 Dynamic seal-   410 Inner seal part-   411 First sealing element-   412 Second sealing element-   414 Radially extending flange-   414 Flange (of the inner seal part)-   414 a Inner seal part flange outer facing surface-   418 Inner seal part base portion-   418 a Inner seal part base portion oppositely facing surface-   420 Outer seal part-   421 First sealing element-   422 Second sealing element-   424 Radially extending flange-   424 a Outer seal part flange inner facing surface-   428 Outer seal part base portion-   428 a Outer seal part base portion oppositely facing surface-   430 Annular counterface element-   431 a First cavity first axial inner surface-   431 b Second cavity first axial inner surface-   432 a First cavity second axial inner surface-   432 b Second cavity second axial inner surface-   433 Annular counterface element radial inner end-   433 a First u-shaped annular cavity-   433 b Second u-shaped annular cavity-   433 c First oppositely facing axial surface-   434 Annular counterface element radial outer end-   434 c Second cavity second oppositely facing axial surface

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamic seal for enclosing a radial gap betweencoaxial, relatively rotatable inner- and outer members, comprising: aninner seal part, mountable to the inner member; an outer seal part,mountable to the outer member; and an annular counterface part having aradially inner end and a radially outer end, the annular counterfacepart being radially suspended between the inner and outer seal parts ina floating manner, and coaxial therewith, wherein the inner seal partcomprises an inner seal part base portion, a radially extending innerseal flange extending radially outward from the inner seal part baseportion, and a set of inner seals axially extending sealing elementscomprising a first axially extending sealing element and a secondaxially extending sealing element, the first axially extending sealingelement and the second axially extending sealing element of the innerseal part are supported by the radially extending inner seal flange,wherein the first axially extending sealing element and the secondaxially extending sealing element of the inner seal part bear againstoppositely oriented axial surfaces of the annular counterface part, toaxially retain the counterface part at a radially inner location, eachradially inner surface of the annular counterface part and eachrespective radially opposing outer surface of the inner seal part havinga radial gap therebetween, wherein the outer seal part comprises anouter seal part base portion, a radially extending outer seal flangeextending radially inward from the outer seal part base portion, and aset of outer seal axially extending sealing elements comprising a firstaxially extending sealing element and a second axially extending sealingelement, the first axially extending sealing element and the secondaxially extending sealing element of the outer seal part are supportedby the radially extending outer seal flange, wherein the first axiallyextending sealing element and the second axially extending sealingelement of the outer seal part bear against oppositely oriented axialsurfaces of the annular counterface part, to axially retain the annularcounterface part at a radially outer location, each radially outersurface of the annular counterface part and each respective radiallyopposing inner surface of the outer seal part having a radial gaptherebetween wherein the gap between each radially inner surface of theannular counterface part and each respective radially opposing outersurface of the inner seal part and the gap between each radially outersurface of the annular counterface part and each respective radiallyopposing inner surface of the outer seal part enables radial movement ofthe annular counterface part in a radially inward and a radially outwarddirection during use.
 2. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, theannular counterface part further comprising an inner U-shaped annularcavity at an inner circumference of the annular counterface part,wherein the inner seal part extends radially into the inner cavity,wherein the first sealing element and the second sealing element of theinner seal part bear against axially inner surfaces of the inner cavity.3. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, the annular counterface partfurther comprising an outer U-shaped annular cavity at an outercircumference of the annular counterface part, wherein the outer sealpart extends radially into the outer cavity, wherein the first sealingelement and the second sealing element of the outer seal part bearagainst axially inner surfaces of the outer cavity.
 4. The dynamic sealaccording to claim 2, wherein the annular counterface part is formedfrom two separate pieces which are axially joined together.
 5. Thedynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element andthe second sealing element of the inner seal part bear against axiallyinner surfaces of the annular counterface part.
 6. The dynamic sealaccording to claim 5, wherein the inner seal part is formed from twoseparate pieces which are axially joined together by the inner casing.7. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the first sealingelement and the second sealing element of the inner seal part bearagainst axially outer surfaces of the annular counterface part.
 8. Thedynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element andthe second sealing element of the outer seal part bear against axiallyinner surfaces of the annular counterface part.
 9. The dynamic sealaccording to claim 8, wherein the inner seal part is formed from twoseparate pieces which are axially joined together by the inner casing.10. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the first sealingelement and the second sealing element of the outer seal part bearagainst axially outer surfaces of the annular counterface part.
 11. Thedynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the first sealing element andthe second sealing element of the inner seal part bear against axiallyinner surfaces of the annular counterface part, and wherein the firstsealing element and the second sealing element of the outer seal partbear against axially inner surfaces of the annular counterface part. 12.The dynamic seal according to claim 10, wherein the inner seal part isformed from two separate pieces which are axially joined together by theinner casing.
 13. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein thefirst sealing element and the second sealing element of the inner sealpart bear against axially outer surfaces of the annular counterfacepart, and wherein the first sealing element and the second sealingelement of the outer seal part bear against axially outer surfaces ofthe annular counterface part.
 14. The dynamic seal according to claim 1,wherein each first sealing element and each second sealing elementextend axially outward from the respective radially extending sealflange.
 15. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein each firstsealing element and each second sealing element extend axially outwardfrom the respective radially extending seal flange at the same axialposition along the respective radially extending seal flange.
 16. Thedynamic seal according to claim 1, wherein the seal has axial and radialsymmetry.
 17. The dynamic seal according to claim 1, further comprisinga cavity formed between the sealing element and the counterface part,where the cavity is filled with a lubricant.